Your favourite journey(s)?

[yorkie]

A new member of this forum asked me what my favourite journey was the other day.

I said the West Highland Line, back in the days of 37s (which ended in June 2006). Nothing can beat being woken by the sound of a 37, and enjoying the great scenery and, on arrival at Fort William, taking the Jacobite to complete the journey to Mallaig (which would be so much better if the kettle failed and the 37 went all the way! Sadly that never happened with me). I always did it in sleeping accommodation going North, but often seated going south. If I was in sleeping accommodation going South then I would not bother with the lounge car and would go to the front at least until it got dark.

In the height of summer, you'd get near Helensburgh before it got dark!

And not only that but the CDR from Glasgow to Fort William was only about £23 (£15 with railcard)! Bargain!


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What about your favourite journeys?

 

[90019]

Of the journies I've done, I'd go for the FSR 158 up the Kyle Line.

 

[Ivo]

The Bay Bubble

 

[Tugzrule]

139 on the Stourbridge Shuttle

 

[Lampshade]

Quite a controversial one this, but 142065 on the Hope Valley Line hock:

Or anything with 156468

 

[Mike Redding]

The journey along the coast here in Cumbria & The section between Penrith and Oxenholme LD are my favourite journeys. The views along the coast are pretty awesome, and the WCML part is stunning. Especially when the train is weaving along surrounded by mountains, ducking under the m6. It's really nice when i'm on the way to Newbury at 8am with a very strong black coffee in the sun.

Also, Does anyone really like approaching London on the train? I've only gone into/out of Paddington, Waterloo and Euston, But there's just something about arriving in a big, busy city after travelling though hundreds of miles of countryside and towns that i like. Maybe i'm just a bit wierd

 

[flymo]

I used to really enjoy so many journeys on the railways but I particularly remember the summer services that ran overnight on Friday/Saturday from Newcastle - Paignton. Nothing quite like being along the Dawlish sea wall early in the morning after a long journey. Marvellous.

 

[142094]

The 156 to and from Mallaig was brilliant, the morning return was the best out of the jounrey, seeing the deer on the moors with the early morning sun and mist - brilliant.

I have to admit I always like a 142 ride - my favourite units. I've grown up with them and travelled on them so much that I always smile when one comes round the corner in Newcastle. The 06.57 Middlesbrough - Carlisle was good, although I'll be doing this again in the summer as it was dark in Februaury :-x. 08.27 York - Leeds was always a good commute.

I also really miss the TW Metro - I used to use it everyday for 10 years or so, but being away from Newcastle less so now. Still, next week is the Easter holidays so lots of bashing then.

 

[37401]

S+C in the snow last year with 20303 304 309 and 37423, was great scenery in the snow.

another one was 37194+087 along the Dawlish sea wall

 

[Pumbaa]

The journey along the coast here in Cumbria & The section between Penrith and Oxenholme LD are my favourite journeys. The views along the coast are pretty awesome, and the WCML part is stunning. Especially when the train is weaving along surrounded by mountains, ducking under the m6.

Quite. My favourite journey is Lancaster - Glasgow. I think the Carlisle > Carstairs section of the line is probably the best, and there is nothing better than going full tilt. I feel it is best going North looking west.

Other than that, the WHL is great, and I also like York > Malton. Very pretty.

I agree also that coming into London ha a certain excitement - I've done pretty much all the approaches now, and I must say into Euston is my favourite - maybe because you get so far into London before slowing down.

 

[LE Greys]

I've done a few particularly memorable ones.

Halifax-Montreal-Toronto in June 2008:
The first bit used the old Nightstar stock (still with BR 'nex' on the microwaves) and the second was behind a whacking great GM Genesis. It was certainly a strange journey, miles and miles of land with hardly a house in sight (in the 'crowded' part of Canada) and bits of flooded woodland where Beavers had built dams. The stations were tiny and the trains immensely long.

The Jacobite in 1997:
Needs no introduction really. We had 74079 as our engine. I remember leaning out of the window over Glenfinnen Viaduct thinking 'this is amazing'.

Far North Line:
A tiny DMU in a vast landscape, looking out of the window and seeing the Deer standing in the river just up from Helmsdale.

Dawlish sea wall:
Any service, any time, I just love it.

But none of these are my favourite. My favourite is the half-mile of demonstration line at Didcot Railway Centre. I did a Young Volunteers Week there, and they let me drive a Pannier up and down there on the last day. My very favourite journey, first time driving a steam engine.

 

[Oracle]

I used to like Portsmouth-Southampton, especially on WR DMUs as you could see out the front. There is lots of water to be viewed, especialy between Bitterne and St Denys.

 

[Rugd1022]

Everywhere west of Exeter behind a 'Thousand'.... can't beat it.

Nidge ;O)

 

[Drimnagh Road]

North Wales Coast, still contains some loco hauled stuff and semaphores, some scenic parts too

 

[mrcheek]

Of the journies I've done, I'd go for the FSR 158 up the Kyle Line.

seconded.

Ive done three 2 week ALRs, so Ive covered most of the best lines including Dawlish, Cumbria Coast, North Wales coast, Inverness to Wick, Settle and Carlisle, and yes, even the grossly under-rated Hope Valley.
But Inverness to Kyle of Localsh trumps them all. Im not even going to try and describe it.

Havent done Fort William/Mallaig/Oban yet. Try and get those all in next time I do an ALR (though that will be a while)

 

[Bittern]

Easily my Glasgow Queen Street - Inverness trip last September. I've always dreamed of visiting the Highlands, especially Inverness. The weather was perfect, the scenery really picked up just before we got to Stirling, the train was nice and smooth, and due to the early hour (we left at 07:06) and the lower temperature in the Glasgow area, there was a bit of mist between Glasgow and Stirling which really looked phenomonal!

Simply put, I can't wait to do the trip again. I only wish that I could recall what 170 took me on that trip.

Of the journies I've done, I'd go for the FSR 158 up the Kyle Line.

Did the train you used have a trolley service? National Rail's site says it doesn't, but ut also says that the GLQ - INV direct services doesn't either and in reality, it does.

 

[90019]

Did the train you used have a trolley service? National Rail's site says it doesn't, but ut also says that the GLQ - INV direct services doesn't either and in reality, it does.

It didn't.

 

[sprinterguy]

Newcastle to York. The scenic bits of County Durham and Durham Viaduct, and I distinctly recall speeding through the snow in early morning sunlight on a GNER HST on the racing stretch a few years ago, magic

A trip I did with Wrexham and Shropshire from Leamington Spa to Shrewsbury not so long ago that was great fun: Fantastic full Welsh breakfast!

 

[37401]

Yeah, Leamingtion-Shrewsbury can be quite nice, I did Crewe-Hereford on the rugex lasst week and that was quite nice south of shrewsbury

 

[CCF23]

Newcastle to York. The scenic bits of County Durham and Durham Viaduct, and I distinctly recall speeding through the snow in early morning sunlight on a GNER HST on the racing stretch a few years ago, magic

A trip I did with Wrexham and Shropshire from Leamington Spa to Shrewsbury not so long ago that was great fun: Fantastic full Welsh breakfast!

How can you do WSMR from Leamington Spa they don't stop there or was there some engineering works or a change to the normal timetable.

 

[Jordy]

They do now!

 

[37401]

Yup leamington now on the timetable

 

[Bittern]

It didn't.

Well that sucks.

 

[90019]

Well that sucks.

Not really. Buy stuff before you get on the train.

 

[Bittern]

Not really. Buy stuff before you get on the train.

Buy them for me.

 

[Techniquest]

Many journeys come up as favourites for me, a brief list:

Swansea > Swindon > Penzance and back via same route on 21st May 2004. An awesome journey and all in complimentary First Class. Wish I had been bashing back then, I'd have known what power cars I had on the day. If anyone has HST gen from that day, then please PM me.

Kings Cross to Inverness and back the following day with 43006+43008. An excellent experience to be on what was then (and AFAIK still is) the longest HST-operated service in the country. A fantastic performance from both power cars and a journey that I'll never forget.

Manchester > Newquay via Styal, Crewe, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, New Street then the Camp Hill line before returning as far as Bristol Parkway. Extreme bit of miles and a stunning performance from 43046+43083 in May 2007. Without a shadow of a doubt, an excellent day for mileage and red-penning some track for HST coverage, and all in FC from Crewe to Newquay!

Kings Cross to Sunderland and back on 30th January 2010 with 43065+43123. Stunning performance from both power cars and will possibly be the last time I scoop two winners on the same set and for decent mileage.

Crewe to Fort William with the Jacobite onwards to Mallaig. An amazing journey and one I'd love to do again. London Euston to Oban on the diverted sleeper in February 2006 was great, as was the HST from Edinburgh to York via Ferryhill and Stockton on the way back home.

Hereford to Paddington in December 2006 was a great journey, awesome thrash from 43036 on the front (forgotten what was on the back), all enjoyed in FC throughout. The birthday bash around London afterwards was also great fun, although 180113 on the 1242 Paddington to Hereford the day after was NOT fun, not even in FC, mainly due to expecting a HST and to have no buffet crew all the way home was punishing.

Swansea to Paddington is also a favourite journey of mine from those in my enthusiast past. So many times I did that journey in both directions, but the best ones involved the 1130 Swansea to Paddington, as it had the Pullman dining service on it. I used that so often the crew knew what my order was before I had chance to tell them!

Bristol to Weymouth and back in September 2009 will always rate as one of the best bashes of all-time. First trip to the Southern Region with 37s and a winner in the form of 37670. Stunning performance from both beasts on the day, will never forget the scrum for the front door as the set rolled in for the return journey!

Bristol to Brighton in October 2004 was a stunner in terms of sheer randomness with the 31s, as well as the VEP(?) from Brighton to Portsmouth and CIG back to Fratton. Shame about having to suffer a 158 all the way back to Cardiff that night

Crewe to Holyhead in June 2004 (I think) with 47810 on an Euston to Holyhead was just awesome. Not ever likely to forget poor James missing the thrash and clag away from Colwyn Bay!

Crewe to Chester, believed to be in April 2004, with 43068+43121. Not a long journey, but the only time I managed to get on-board a Virgin HST. Shame I then had to bail for a 153 to Crewe for 158829 back to at least Newport for something decent back to Swansea, as I had to go try on wedding suits for my eldest sister's wedding!

All journeys along the Heart of Wales line. Stunning scenery and always a good ride.

158714 from Inverness to Kyle in declassified FC for a SRPS tour with 47245+47851 back to Dalmeny was lovely. Stunning scenery and would love to do it again one day.

2026 Aberdeen to Edinburgh via Cowdenbeath and the Edinburgh Suburban line in December 2008 with 43357 (winner!) and 43285 was a great journey for the winner power car, new all-time territory and for HST coverage (obviously), the following morning getting a winner 67009 to Westerton (didn't enjoy the non-working ETS though :roll and all-time required track and 314s in Glasgow was great, before a boring journey back with Megabus to Manchester. Was a good excuse for some doss though!

Scooping the Joint Line on NXEC diversions in November 2008 was also quite fun, especially getting 43056 back. Won't soon forget the thrash up through Lincoln on the northbound journey! Scooping winner track the following morning (Copley Hill chord?) in Leeds was excellent too and with 43052+43082

That's about all I can think of for now

 

[me123]

Despite living in Glasgow, I've yet to venture up the West Highland Line. May have a jaunt up in Summer to see what all the fuss is about!

But, I have been on the lines up to Aberdeen and Inverness which are just as beautiful in their own, perhaps less dramatic, way. Although I'd say Bealach Druim Uachdair is a pretty stunning and dramatic landscape!

There's also the lovely coastal route of the Northern ECML, and the journey through the lakes on the WCML (as long as you have a window to enjoy the latter view!).

The actual stock I get doesn't bother me, but one notable trip was Glasgow-Aberdeen (over the Forth and Tay bridges for the first time in my life) with an unrefurbished HST set with two valentas 8) I'm not a big valenta fan, but I did appreciate the pretty hellfire trip, and the crew on the service were top notch!

 

[37372]

The Tyne Valley line (preferably NOT on a pacer thankyou!), the ECML between Durham and Edinburgh and the Kyle line (loco hauled - I wouldn't like to do the line on a unit) are some of my favourite journies. Especially on nice sunny days. Unfortunately it's been ages since I've done any of them, all I ever seem to see these days is the line between Mexborough and Kirk Sandall!

 

[theblackwatch]

The Devon sea wall is probably my favourite - lots of happy memories of time spent down there during my childhood, and I think the view from the train is great. I'd also put the West Highland line as a close second. The run from Fort William to Mallaig behind a single Class 20 last year late in the evening with a low sun gave some really spectacular views. The views from Helebsburgh to Oban and Fort William aren't bad either!

Unfortunately it's been ages since I've done any of them, all I ever seem to see these days is the line between Mexborough and Kirk Sandall!

I think thats rather untrue given that, according to your sig, you've done over 8,000 miles this year!!!

 

[Bittern]

The views from Helebsburgh to Oban and Fort William aren't bad either!

Even the view between Helensburgh Central, Craigendoran and Cardross from a 320 in the sunset is a beautiful sight.